Cassandra Shore, the founder of The Cassandra School (1978), is recognized as one of the world’s foremost performers and choreographers of Middle Eastern dance. Her artistic intensity, musicality, and technique set her apart from the average performer. She brings to dance lyrical grace, musical focus, and a sensuous quality of movement that brings mere technique to life. Her work has been rewarded with grants, commissions, and awards. Cassandra also founded the Jawaahir Dance Company in 1989 as a way to move Middle Eastern dance "beyond the museum," and create original, theatrically-inspired choreographies that blends traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern forms.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The beginning of Cassandra’s belly dance journey, her first show, first class and first dance school

- How to figure out if you are ready to start performing professionally

- Amazing tips on how to deal with pre-show anxiety

- The challenges of relocating a dance studio to another area in the city

- Taking care of your body for a long-term dance career

Show Notes to this episode:

Find Cassandra Shore on FB, website, and her dance company Jawaahir.

Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her teaching platform: the Iana Dance Club. New YouTube show “Artist Date” is available HERE.

Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast